Sociology: Relative Deprivation and J Curve

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best defines relative deprivation?

A psychological condition unrelated to social comparisons.

The difference between perceived expectations and actual perceptions. (correct)

The feeling of lacking basic needs.

A sense of entitlement without basis.

What does the J curve hypothesis illustrate?

The relationship between political violence and social unity.

The gradual increase in satisfaction over time.

The increased likelihood of social unrest due to expectations vs. reality. (correct)

The direct correlation between income and happiness.

Egoistic relative deprivation refers to which of the following?

A psychological state of contentment despite external factors.

An individual's feelings of deprivation compared to similar others. (correct)

A group's sense of collective underachievement.

A societal awareness of resource inequality.

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a condition leading to social unrest?

High levels of public education. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Groffman & Muller's V curve hypothesis?

The levels of gratification affecting potential for political violence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation associated with positive distinctiveness within social identity theory?

Self-enhancement Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy focuses on improving the perceived status of the ingroup by comparing it with even worse groups?

Social creativity Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions is social mobility most likely to occur?

With permeable boundaries and less attachment to the group Signup and view all the answers

Which condition indicates that individuals will engage in social competition?

When they believe the status hierarchy is illegitimate Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the concept of relative deprivation?

Feeling entitled to less than what is actually received Signup and view all the answers

What type of social belief structure is characterized by the acceptance of existing hierarchies?

Legitimacy of status Signup and view all the answers

In the context of social identity, what does social competition primarily involve?

Collective resistance to current status Signup and view all the answers

What scenario exemplifies the concept of the prisoner's dilemma?

Two individuals deciding whether to confess to a crime Signup and view all the answers

What leads to a higher potential for political violence according to the V Curve hypothesis?

Perceived negative change Signup and view all the answers

In the Jetten et al. study, which demographic showed the highest opposition to immigration?

The poorest individuals Signup and view all the answers

In the trucking game scenario, what illustrates the impact of mutual distrust?

Conflict over the one-lane road leading to sub-optimal outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible outcome of feeling low self-esteem within a group context?

Heightened group competition Signup and view all the answers

Which stage in the Sherif's boys' camp studies did not reduce negative attitudes between groups?

Intergroup competition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes social mobility?

Leaving a lower-status group for one perceived as better Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary condition identified in the minimal group studies required for intergroup discrimination?

Categorization of self and other Signup and view all the answers

What happens when people perceive a negative change in their situation?

Potential for political violence increases Signup and view all the answers

What does social creativity allow individuals to do in the face of perceived low status?

Redefine comparisons with outgroups favorably Signup and view all the answers

In group dynamics, what role does the concept of permeability play?

It allows movement between groups. Signup and view all the answers

According to Realistic Group Conflict Theory, what initiates prejudice and discrimination?

Conflict over real resources Signup and view all the answers

What was the main finding from the Klee and Kandinski minimal group study?

Individuals favored their ingroup despite anonymity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of relative gratitude?

Feeling better than those in similar situations Signup and view all the answers

In the study on perceived differences and future situations, what was a key focus?

Comparison of work situations now and in the future Signup and view all the answers

What do individuals experience when they think their current situation is worse than it should be?

Heightened perceived vulnerability Signup and view all the answers

In terms of social identity theory, which stage comes immediately after social categorization?

Identification Signup and view all the answers

Which factor influenced the results of the Swiss immigration referendum according to regional differences?

Regional employment rates Signup and view all the answers

What was a major outcome of intergroup cooperation in the boys' camp studies?

Reduction of hostile attitudes Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the attitude of those with high disposable income towards immigration?

Fear of losing resources Signup and view all the answers

What does the free rider effect describe?

Gaining benefits without contributing to the costs Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is identified as a driver of competition and resource destruction in social dilemmas?

Individual self-interest Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of game theory?

It relates to the asocial aspects of human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What solution can help resolve social dilemmas according to the information provided?

Limiting individual access to resources Signup and view all the answers

What does ingroup favoritism refer to?

Favoritism extended toward one's own group over others Signup and view all the answers

What is the main premise of social identity theory?

Power dynamics exist among distinct social groups. Signup and view all the answers

What does the tragedy of the commons illustrate?

Exploitation of shared resources leads to ruin for all. Signup and view all the answers

What concept emphasizes the exaggeration of differences between groups?

Intergroup differentiation Signup and view all the answers

What is described as a challenging aspect of implementing structural solutions to social dilemmas?

Maintaining authority and managing violations Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'enitativity' refer to?

The perception of a group as a coherent unit Signup and view all the answers

What effect can a large number of people having access to a limited resource have?

It often results in over-exploitation or depletion. Signup and view all the answers

According to the frustration-aggression hypothesis, what is the primary cause of aggression?

Feeling of frustration Signup and view all the answers

Which solution encourages a group identity that prioritizes collective benefit?

Encouraging strong group identification Signup and view all the answers

In social identity theory, how are social identities typically formed?

Based on affiliations with existing groups Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Relative Deprivation and the J Curve Hypothesis

Relative deprivation is the gap between what people believe they "ought to have" and what they perceive they "have".
The J-curve hypothesis (Davies, 1969) describes how dissatisfaction rises when expectations for positive change aren't met.
Expectations (green line) represent perceived positive change over time.
Perceptions of reality (red line) reflect individual subjective evaluations.
The difference between these measures constitutes relative deprivation.
Egoistic relative deprivation refers to a feeling of being deprived in comparison to similar others.
Fraternalistic relative deprivation involves a group feeling deprived compared to another group.
Social unrest is more likely when group identity is strong, action is perceived as effective, and procedural injustice is felt.

Relative Gratification and the V Curve Hypothesis (Groffman & Muller, 1973)

This study investigated potential for political violence (PPV) in relation to perceived levels of gratification.
Participants (503 respondents) assessed the difference between their best possible future situation compared to their perceived current situation.
The V-curve hypothesis proposes that varying levels of perceived gratification or deprivation can lead to different levels of political violence.
Negative change (perceived worse than expected): Higher PPV.
Positive change (perceived better than expected): Higher PPV.
No change: Lowest PPV.
Children reported higher PPV in all categories of change, including no change.

The V Curve and Immigration (Jetten et al, 2015)

The 2014 Swiss referendum on immigration showed regional variations in voting outcomes.
Results correlated with employment and disposable income.
Regions with either high unemployment/low income OR low unemployment & high income showed the highest support for curbing immigration.
Demonstrates relative deprivation and relative gratification influencing attitudes towards immigration.

Jetten et al Study 2

61 Australian university students.
"Bimboola" virtual city simulation with various income groups. Subjects placed in income brackets.
Immigration was introduced and measures were taken to analyze respondents' attitudes towards newcomers.
Results showed opposition to immigration across income levels. Poorer participants demonstrated the most opposition followed by the wealthiest.

Conflict over Resources: Sherif's Boys' Camp Studies

Sherif's experiments examined intergroup relations.
11-12 year old boys were divided into "Eagles" and "Rattlers" for a summer camp.
Three stages:
- Group formation.
- Intergroup competition (negative reactions, resource conflict)
- Intergroup cooperation.
Cooperation (e.g. "subordinate goals") reduced conflict and resulted in increased cooperation and intergroup friendships.

Realistic Group Conflict Theory (Sherif, 1967)

Suggests prejudice arises from competition over real resources.
Prejudice occurs regardless of individual personality.
Ingroup identity is reinforced by conflict.
Shared goals reduce prejudice.

Minimal Group Studies (Tajfel et al, 1971)

Klee and Kandinsky paintings.
Participants, unknown to each other, were assigned groups.
The allocation of points to members of each group demonstrated ingroup favoritism even with minimal group categorization.
Findings show that merely categorizing people into "us" and "them" is sufficient to produce intergroup discrimination.

Group identity influences thinking and behavior.
Four stages:
- Social categorization (us vs. them).
- Identification (we).
- Social comparison (how we compare to them).
- Positive differentiation (emphasizing ingroup positives and outgroup negatives).

Self-enhancement and positive distinctiveness (we're better than them).
Uncertainty reduction (group membership provides guidance).
Predictability.

Social competition and social creativity in online groups like white supremacist groups.

Games like the prisoner's dilemma and the trucking game demonstrate the pressures of competition versus cooperation.
The commons dilemma (shared resource exploitation) and the public goods dilemma.

Structural solutions (limiting access, resource management).
Promoting group identification.

Social categorisation, identity and intergroup behavior.
Ingroup favouritism, intergroup differentiation.
Social and personal identities.
Authoritarian personality and frustration-aggression hypothesis.

Social categorization leads to prototypes (cognitive representations of groups).
Prototypes maximize intergroup differences and intragroup similarities (meta-contrast principle).
Depersonalization (viewing others as group members not individuals) is related to stereotypes.

Psychological Salience

Salience is a function of chronic and situational accessibility, as well as structural and normative fit.

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Description

Explore the concepts of relative deprivation and the J-curve hypothesis in sociology. Understand how the gap between expectations and reality can lead to social unrest, and differentiate between egoistic and fraternalistic relative deprivation. This quiz will challenge your understanding of these significant theories.